Newmarket II fell further behind league leaders Haverhill II after going down at home to the pacesetters on Saturday.

In what was a much-anticipated clash between the two in-form teams in the league, it was the visitors who struck first to open up the scoring inside the first two minutes.

Despite being under pressure from the first goal, Newmarket knuckled down to concentrate on blocking play.

Midfielder, and leading goalscorer, Cassie Edgar-Ayms dropped to right-back during play to strengthen the core defence, while Becca Bunning worked tirelessly throughout the game with new team addition Lou Barker.

Sue Bullimore faced the biggest workout she has had all season and, despite producing a number of smart saves, failed to stop the visitors from doubling their tally before the half was out.

The second half saw Newmarket look calmer and stronger as they sought a route back into the match.

While still fighting for every ball, the hosts made some good attacks into the D, which Tracy Cockerill, Grace Evans and Olivia Haste just failed to convert.

Edgar-Ayms found herself at odds with the umpire which saw her collect a yellow card and spend two minutes off pitch.

A short corner came the hosts’ way late in the game and, despite some well-oiled routines, they failed to convert it.

By this stage, Haverhill had managed to put another two past Newmarket.

Finally, after some great join-up play through the midfield, Edgar-Ayms found herself in the D with the ball, which she sent crashing home for the hosts’ only goal with five minutes left to play.

However, there was to be no frantic finish with Haverhill seeing out the remaining minutes to secure their 14th straight victory of the season.

Elsewhere in the division, Newmarket III were narrowly beaten 1-0 on the road at City of Peterborough IV.

Hat-tricks for Mike Skelton and Alex Andreou and a strike from Harry Bell helped Newmarket get the better of Ipswich-East Suffolk II in East Men’s League Division Three North East.

Both the men’s second team and ladies’ third team saw their matches postponed.

On Saturday, all five teams will be in action, with the men’s firsts at UEA, while the seconds host Dereham III.

The ladies’ firsts will face Norwich City II at home, while the seconds will take on Ely City II away and the thirds face runaway leaders Haverhill II at home.

Trending

Wide load on A14 through Suffolk in tomorrow’s rush hour

Heritage Centre to make job cuts after slow start

Pupils in the picture at Newmarket’s Laureate primary school back in 1991